Aberavon MP Dr Hywel Francis calls for increased access to medical technology available on the NHS
25th July 2007
New and emerging medical technology is at the forefront of creating a modern, effective NHS that responds to the needs of patients, but increasing the uptake of the latest technologies needs to be prioritized.
That was the message from the annual Parliamentary Medical Technology Showcase: 'A journey through the body' which demonstrated the latest advances in medical technology.
Aberavon MP Dr Hywel Francis saw for himself at the event the latest advances in cardiac, vascular and many other areas of patient care where new technology is returning patients to their normal lives more quickly.
The House of Commons played host to the Showcase, which gave Parliamentarians the chance to view of the medical devices making a difference. Technologies on display included the C.Net 2000+ portable heart monitor, which allows patients to be monitored for a 24 hour period while they return to work, and the latest stents – devices which can be used keep blocked arteries open.
The event, organised by the Medical Technology Group (MTG) aimed to show the importance of increasing patient access on the NHS to the latest advances in medical technology.
Dr Hywel Francis MP has signed Early Day Motion (EDM) 1918 calling for the increase in the uptake of new and innovative medical technology and expressing concern that the NHS spends just 4.8% of its £80 billion budget on these technologies
Dr Francis said
"Enhancing access to advanced devices which can improve a patient's experience of primary care and hospital should be high on the agenda for anyone who has a stake in developing our health service."
"The latest pacemakers are no bigger than a two pence coin and have a battery life of years. New drug pumps, which can deliver insulin directly to people with diabetes, are cutting out the need for constant injections. A key message here today has been that while technology required up front investment, the cost and health benefits over time are enormous.
Dr Francis added
"This event has patients at the centre and has demonstrated how important it is that the NHS delivers the latest medical technology to them. Patients need to be empowered to make informed choices," he added.
Notes to Editors:
The Parliamentary Medical Technology Showcase was hosted by Dr Des Turner MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Medical Technology.
The Medical Technology Group is a campaigning coalition between patients, medical professionals, industry and patient groups, who are keen to widen the availability of healthcare technologies. The MTG is committed to promoting patient access to technological treatments such as insulin pumps, pacemakers, defibrillators, stents for coronary heart disease as well as ensuring the delivery of new innovations. It seeks to:
- Advance reforms that will ensure patient access to innovative medical technologies
- Recognise the work and contributions of leading medical professionals and institutions using technology to improve health care outcomes for patients
- Provide patients with accurate information about medical conditions and treatment options
Current MTG membership includes:
- AdvaMed (Advanced Medical Technology Association)
- Abbott
- AMO (Advanced Medical Optics)
- AntiCoagulation Europe*
- Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A)*
- Arthritis Care*
- Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI)
- Becton, Dickinson and Company
- Boston Scientific
- British Cardiac Patients' Association*
- British Vascular Foundation*
- Cardiomyopathy Association*
- Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY)*
- Cardionetics
- Circulation Foundation*
- Continence Foundation*
- Cordis/Johnson& Johnson
- CR Bard
- Eucomed
- Grown-up Congenital Heart Patients Association (GUCH)*
- Heart Failure Foundation*
- Heart Research UK*
- ICD Patient and Family Support Group*
- Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST) Info and Support*
- International Alliance of Patient's Organizations (IAPO)*
- INPUT*
- Lindsay Leg Club*
- Medtronic
- National Heart Forum*
- National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS)*
- Patients Association*
- Pelvic Pain Support Network*
- St Jude Medical
- STARS*
- Stryker
- Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS UK)*
- Transplant Support Network*
- Zimmer
* denotes patient/research organisation
